Woodbridge

The River Deben curls through this Suffolk market town like a secret, its muddy banks alive with curlews and the creak of yacht rigging. Woodbridge wears its maritime heritage lightly - no gaudy tourist tat here, just weathered timber and proper pubs where locals still argue about the tide tables.

Wander the narrow streets and you'll stumble across independent shops that actually sell things you need rather than tat. The old tide mill still stands guard over the river, though these days it's more likely to house art exhibitions than grind corn. Saturday mornings bring a proper market to the town square - none of your farmers' market pretensions, just honest stalls selling everything from fresh fish to wellington boots.

Easton Farm Park makes for a cracking day out with kids, especially if they fancy meeting Suffolk Punch horses and learning why these gentle giants nearly disappeared. The surrounding countryside rolls away in all directions, dotted with village churches like St Andrew's in Bredfield and the lovely St Mary's at Letheringham. Each parish guards its village sign fiercely - Dallinghoo's is particularly fine if you're into that sort of thing.

Getting here couldn't be simpler. The A12 drops you practically at the town's doorstep, and it's barely twenty minutes from Ipswich if you need a proper shopping fix or train connections to London. Staying at one of the nearby parks puts you right in the heart of Suffolk's gentlest countryside, with the coast just a short drive away at Aldeburgh or Orford. Perfect for exploring the Deben Valley without the fuss of city hotels or seaside crowds.